nfidentially, Fairbanks," he said, "I have taken a great interest
in this Short Cut Railroad scheme, and as soon as I am well I am
coming to see you at Stanley Junction."

"Regarding this railroad?" inquired Ralph.

"Exactly," responded Trevor. "I see a great future in it. I shall not
go to Europe. There is a practical business chance here, and I intend
to help Mr. Gibson get the enterprise through."

"It will take a lot of money," suggested Ralph.

"Yes," assented Trevor, "and I know how to raise it. In fact, I have
almost agreed to market one hundred thousand dollars' worth of bonds
of the Dover & Springfield Short Line Railroad, and I want you to help
me do it."

CHAPTER XIV

A RAILROAD STRIKE

"It's a bad outlook, lad," said old John Griscom.

The veteran engineer was serious and anxious as he pronounced the
words. He and Ralph were proceeding down the tracks beyond the
round-house, just returned from their regular run from the city.

"It's a strike, is it?" inquired Ralph.

"Worse than a strike," replied Griscom. "The railroad men's union is
in a squabble among themselves and a fight is on. That means trouble
and damage all around."

It was two weeks after the kidnapping of young Trevor, and affairs had
subsided to regular routine for the engineer and fireman of the
Limited Mail. The president of the Great Northern had sent a check for
one hundred dollars to Ralph, which he divided with Griscom, both
making up twenty-five dollars for Van Sherwin. From the actions of
their superiors they knew that their being in close touch with Mr.
Grant had helped them considerably, and both felt secure and contented
in their positions, when a new disturbing element appeared.

For several days there had been trouble on both the Great Northern and
the Midland Central. As Ralph understood it, the discharge of an
irresponsible engineer on the latter line of railroad had led to a
demand for his reinstatement. This the railway officials refused. A
strike was at once ordered.

Two days later a man named Delmay, a strike agent, came to Stanley
Junction. He demanded that the men on the Great Northern engage in a
sympathetic strike until the other road was brought to terms. The
older, wiser hands laughed at him. Jim Evans had returned to Stanley
Junction, and at once joined in a movement to disrupt the local union
by favoring the strike in question.

Evans had done a good deal of swaggering and threatening around